Why Switch from Censys?
Censys is a solid domain API provider, but it's not the only option. Whether you're looking for better pricing, more features, or simply want to explore what else is available - you've come to the right place.
We've analyzed the key differences between Censys and its alternatives to help you make an informed decision. DomScan stands out as the top alternative, offering wider TLD coverage, a generous free tier, and modern features like MCP integration for AI assistants.
Common Reasons to Switch
- Need domain-focused API, not infrastructure scanning
- Want simpler pricing without enterprise contracts
- Looking for WHOIS and domain availability
- Building domain tools rather than security scanners
Who Should Stay with Censys
Censys excels at internet-wide scanning and certificate transparency. For security research and exposure management, it remains unmatched.
Side-by-Side Comparison: DomScan vs Censys
DomScan
DomScan is a developer-first domain intelligence platform offering real-time availability checks, RDAP data, domain valuation, and AI integration via MCP.
Free: 10,000 credits/monthCensys
Censys delivers internet-wide scanning, certificate intelligence, and external attack surface discovery for security teams and researchers.
Community tier with limited monthly queriesPricing Comparison
| Pricing | DomScan | Censys |
|---|---|---|
| Free Tier | Free: 10,000 credits/month | Community tier with limited monthly queries |
| Paid Plans | Pay-as-you-go from $10 | Individual plans from $100/month |
| Enterprise | Custom pricing | Custom team and enterprise plans |
| TLD Coverage | 1,500+ TLDs | Full IPv4/IPv6 coverage |
Feature Comparison
| Feature | DomScan | Censys |
|---|---|---|
| Free Tier | Included | Limited |
| API Access | Included | Included |
| Bulk Operations | Included | Included |
| Real-time Data | Included | Included |
| WHOIS Data | Included | Limited |
| DNS Lookup | Included | Included |
| Domain Valuation | Included | Not Included |
| Brand Monitoring | Included | Not Included |
| MCP/AI Integration | Included | Not Included |
Where Censys Excels
- Comprehensive internet scanning
- Certificate and asset intelligence
- External attack surface discovery
DomScan Advantages
- Free tier with 10,000 credits/month - no credit card required
- 1,500+ TLDs - more coverage than most competitors
- MCP integration for AI assistants like Claude
- Domain valuation, brand monitoring, and OSINT tools
- Modern REST API with JSON responses
- Global edge deployment on Cloudflare Workers
Switching from Censys
Migrating from Censys to DomScan is straightforward. DomScan uses standard REST endpoints with JSON responses and predictable authentication.
Quick example:
# Check domain availability with DomScan
curl "https://domscan.net/v1/status?name=example&tlds=com,net,org"
# Response
{
"name": "example",
"results": [
{ "domain": "example.com", "available": false, "source": "rdap" },
{ "domain": "example.net", "available": false, "source": "rdap" },
{ "domain": "example.org", "available": false, "source": "rdap" }
]
}
Frequently Asked Questions
DomScan uses standard REST APIs with JSON responses, making migration straightforward. Most integrations can be updated in minutes by changing the endpoint URL and adjusting the response parsing.
DomScan offers a generous free tier of 10,000 credits/month with no credit card required. For most use cases, DomScan provides better value with transparent pay-as-you-go pricing.
DomScan covers all core domain intelligence features including availability checks, WHOIS/RDAP data, DNS lookups, and domain valuation. Additionally, DomScan offers unique features like MCP integration for AI assistants.
DomScan provides comprehensive documentation, email support, and community forums. Enterprise customers receive dedicated support and SLA guarantees.
Censys vs Other Providers
More Alternatives Guides
Learn More About Censys
Get Started with DomScan
10,000 free credits/month • No credit card required
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